Why is Earth such an incredible planet?

Why Take This Course?

Now that students see how Earth fits in the universe, we take it down to Earth.

Why is Earth such an incredible planet? Hurtling through space at the rate of 30,000 miles per hour is a relatively tiny blue marble which boasts the only known life in the universe. Where did this remarkable planet come from? How does it maintain life conditions, where all of its sister worlds are so hostile to life? In Earth Science we will study just that: the Science of Earth. We will see how the interactions between the Earth, its Moon and the Sun create weather, how the motions of tectonic plates form continents, volcanoes and earthquakes. And what conditions exist on our world to encourage life, and thus, what to look for in other worlds if we wish to discover if we are alone in the cosmos. Get ready to start your science journey!

Course Framework

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

Unit 4

What is soil made from, and what does it teach us?

What if?

Where is the energy on our earth stored?

What is alternative energy?

What is dirt made of?

What if the characteristics of the earth changed? How would I be affected?

What are the different types of energy?

What are the three main forms of alternative energy?

What can the different layers of soil tell us?

Are energy catastrophes really as bad as the media says?

What are some other forms of alternative energy?

How did soil types affect early civilizations?

What are carbon-based fuels, and how much of them are available?

What will be the alternative energy of the future?

What effect did the early civilizations have on dirt because of their varied agricultural practices?

How can we make the energy we have more productive?

What has been Europe's relationship with its soil? How has that relationship affected all of Europe?